Tube-cleaning machine



Nov. 2 1926.

W. H. HAINES TUBE CLEANING MACHINE Filed May 29, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR ATTORNEYS,

Nov. 2 1926. r 1,605,721.

w. H. HAIN ES TUBE CLEANING MACIfIINB Filgd Ma 29, 1923- 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEN'TOR I 104M196. mwy

ATTORNEYS.

Patented Nov. 2, 1926.

UNITED STATES WALTER H. HAINES, OP. HASTINGS-ON-HUDSON', NEW YORK.

TUBE-CLEANING MACHINE.

Application filed May 29, 1923. Serial No. 642,261.

My invention relates to a machine for filling and cleaning collapsible tubes.

Various commodities such as toothpaste, shaving cream, etc., are now very generally :1 packaged in soft metal collapsible tubes. These tubes, with the rear end open and the usual screw cap or other form of closure in place on the forward end, are placed head downward in suitable tube holders, and while in this position, the proper quantity of material, such as toothpaste, in a liquid or semi.- liquid state, is introduced through the open end into the tube, after which the latter is closed, folded and clipped. It is desirable to introduce the material in such quantity that when the tube is closed it will be completely filled so that no air bubble or vacant space will remain in the base of the tube. It is extremely difficult with most materials to introduce the proper quantity of mate rial, and when the tube is closed by any of the wellknown machines for that purpose it often happens that some of the material is forced out and the folded and clipped tube with some of the material adhering to the outside presents an unsightly or a mussy appearance. Various expedients have been resorted to for removing this excess mate rial adhering to the outside of the tube, and to it has been the practice with some manufacturers to have each tube, before it is final- 1y packed, inspected by an operative and the excess material brushed or wiped off.

This method is obviously quite slow and eX- pensive.

It is the principal object of my invention, therefore, to provide, in connection with a tube filling and closing machine, means for automatically removing any excess of filling material which may be adhering to the outside of the filled'tube.

The invention resides in the devices and combinations of devices for the'attainment of the above objects, as will be hereinafter described and defined in the claims appended hereto.

In the drawings forming a part of this specification, I have shown, for illustrative purposes only, a preferred form of my invention.

Fig. 1 is a partially diagrammatic view of a collapsible tube filling machine in combination with the improvements forming part of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a top plan View of parts of the machine illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a. vertical sectional view of parts of the machine shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 1 is a sectional View similar to Fig. 3, but viewed at right angles thereto.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of an improved tube holder.

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the holder shown in Fig. 5.

Figs. 7 and 8 are sectional views taken substantially in the planes of the lines 7 'Z and 88 respectively of Fig. 3.

In Fig. 1, 10 indicates diagrammatically the framework of a tube filling machine. 11 indicates part of an endless chain running over suitable pulleys or sprockets such as 12-13. The endless chain 11 is provided with a plurality of tube holders 1%14, which are adapted to receive the collapsible tubes such as 15-15 so as o form a traveling succession of tube holders and tubes. In machines of this character, as is well known, the endless chain of tube holders is moved by suitable gearing not shown. Tubes such as 15 are introduced head downwardly into the holders 1 1 at a point in advance of the filling nozzles 1616. When the tubes 15 have received the proper quantity of the commodity to be packaged from the filling nozzles 16, the ends of the tubes pass to the tube closer 17 which collapses and flattens the end of the tube, then to the folder 18, and finally to the clipper 19 if theuse of such clipper is desired. A machine as thus far described is well known in the art, and per se forms no part of my present invention.

As has been indicated above, in machines with which I am familiar, the filled and closed tubes are removed from their respective holders after the same have passed through the clipper 19, and are then brushed or otherwise cleaned to remove any excess material adhering thereto. My present invention contemplates that the filled and closed tubes shall remain in their respective holders and be cleaned while being held therein.

In carrying out my invention, I provide a track or guideway 20, positioned beneath the lower run of the endless chain of tube holders. This track follows the lower run of the endless chain and in the form shown extends downwardly in the form of a very open V. The track 20, which may be made of brass or other suitable material, is preferably provided with a V-notch guide or track way 21, extending throughout the length thereof. It sometimes happens that the filled tubes orientate themselves. slightly in their respective holders, and in order to make sure that the closed; flattened ends of the filled tubes will properly engage in the V-notch track or guide 21, I prefer to make the track at the entering end deeper and wider, and I have found that a convenient way of deepening and widening the groove is to braise or otherwise secure thereon a plate 22 before cutting the notch and bending the track. By means of the deep,- wide notch, it will be seen thatthe flattened closed ends of the tubes, even if; slightly out of alignment, will engage within the notch and be properly alignedibefore reaching the main portion thereof. The flattened ends of the tubes will ride in the groove 21 and thus be preventedfrom rotating.

In the form shown, the lower portion or dip in the track. 20 extends into a tank 23, suitably supported as by means of legs 24-24:. This tank is preferably provided with a constant level or overflow pipe 25, and may likewise be provided-with a drain or sludge removal cock 26.

At a point near where the track enters the tank, there may be provided stationary drag brushes 27-437, at each side of and in the path of movement of; the inverted crimped ends of the tubes, passing along the track. Instead of'or in addition to the stationary drag brushes, there maybeprovided a pair of revolving brushes 2S-2S, likewise in the path of the inverted closed ends of the collapsible tubes. These revolving brushes preferably rotate in the directions indicated in Fig. 2, that is, oppositely at the center to the direction of movement of the closed tubes. These revol brushes may be driven from the main source of power or from an auxiliary motor. 29 mounted on the base 80. In order to further assist in cleansing the tubes and removing the excess material adhering thereto, there may befprovi'ded a spray pipe 30 at each side of the tank and a suitable liquid such water may be sprayed over the ends of the tubes for dissolving or mechanically. removing some of the excess materialfrom the tubes. The solvent fiows into the tank 23, andoverflows through the constant level overflow pipe 25.

If desired, this solvent may pass through a pump 31 and be again forced through the spray pipes 3030. It will be seen that with the level in the tank as indicated in Fig. 3, the inverted closed ends of the tube 7 pass through the body of the liquid. After passing the revolving brushes 28-28, the tubes still engaging the track 20, pa: beyond the tank 23 until the end of the track 20 is reached, when the tubes may from. theholders and onto a suitable receptacle or conveyor 32 (Fig. 1), and be re moved As has been indicated above, it highly desirable that a tube be filled substantially full and retain its cylindrical. shape through out the major portion of its length. Anothe r feature'of my invention, therefore, consists in forming a tube holder which will cause a filled tube to retain its cylindrical shape throughout the major portion of. its length. The holder shown in Figs. 5 and 6 cont prises a sleeve 33 which is split at S t-fi l; to facilitate cleaning. The body is provided fall by gravity .7-

with an internal shoulder for receiving a corresponding shoulder 36 on the front end of acollapsible tube; the end cap 37 thereof is received in a suitable recess 38. The sleeve 33 is of relatively great length, and embraces the major portion of the length of the collapsible tube so that when the tube has been filled and the closing machine closes the end of the tube, only that portion of the latter which extends above the sleeve 33 free to collapse, since the sleeve holds and maintainsv the cylindrical form of the remainder of the tube. By means of the tube holder just described. it is possible to obtain a filled tube substantially cylindrical in shape throughout a major portion of its length and it is only that part of the tube at. and adjacent the end which is flattened or collapsed.

The operation of the machine is as follows:

The endless chain of tube holders is set in motion. The collapsible tubes 15, with the end caps in place, are inserted head downwardly in the tube holders and the open rear ends pass to points beneath the inlet or filling nozles 1616 where the tubes 'eceive the requisitequantity of material such as toothpaste or other commodity to be packaged. The filled tubes then advance to and are closed by means of the automatic closer 17, after which the closed tubes pass to the folder-18, where the closed end is folded over. If desired, U-shaped clips may be placed on the folded tube ends and the clipper 19 serves to clinch the clips in place.

The closed tubes in the holders then pass about the sprocket or pulley 12, and the closed on folded ends of the tubes engage the trackway 21, and if not properly aligned will be aligned by the V-notch track or guide.

As will be clear from the drawings, the closed ends of the tubes are dragged between the stationary drag brushes 2727, and at the same time may be sprayed with water or a suitable liquid. All or a large part of any adhering material on the outside of the tubes will be removed by this opera tion. The ends of the tubes in the form shown then pass into the body of liquid-in the tank 23, after which they pass between the rotating brushes 2828 and are again sprayed. move any adhering material not previously removed. After being thus thoroughly cleaned, the tubes pass along up the inclined portion of the track 20, and upon reaching the end of the latter fall by gravity out of the tube holders and onto the conveyor 32, which conveys the filled tubes away to wrapping or other packaging machines.

It is to be understood that in some cases one or both sets of brush-es might be dis pensed with, or that the liquid might in some cases be omitted without serious detriment. For the best results, however, I prefer to use both sets of brushes, as well as the liquid sprayer and the body of liquid in the tank 23.

It will be seen that by means of the machine herein disclosed, the only manual operation necessary will be the placing of the empty tubes in the tube holders and the placing of the clips upon the folded tubes when clippers are to be used. The manual handling and cleaning of the tubes is wholly eliminated, and the machine is therefore substantially automatic. No matter how much material may be adhering to the ends of the tubes, the latter, after treatment as above described, will emerge from the holders and fall onto the conveyor in a thoroughly clean condition.

l/Vhile I have described a preferred embodiment of the invention, I wish it understood that my invention is not confined to the specific form disclosed, for many changes may be made within the scope of the claims appended hereto. It should also be understood that the use of my invention is not confined to that specifically described in the foregoing specification.

I claim:

1. In a machine of the character described, a plurality of traveling tube holders for holding filled and closed collapsible tubes, means for supporting and moving said holders, the closed ends of the tubes extending beyond the holders, means for engaging the closed ends of tubes held in said holders and having means for preventing rotation of the tubes therein, and means for scrubbing the tubes adjacent to the closed ends.

2. In a machine of the character described, a plurality of holders for holding filled and closed collapsible tubes, means for support- This last operation serves to re ing and moving said holders, a track for en'- gaging at opposite sides the closed ends of said collapsible tubes to prevent rotation of the tubes in said holders, and means for cleaning the said tubes adjacent to the closed ends while the latter are engaged with said track and held in said holders.

3. In a machine of the character described, a holder for holding a filled and closed collapsible tube, means for moving said holder into an inverted position, means independent of said holder for engaging the tube and preventing rotation of the tube and keeping the tube therein, and means for cleaning the closed end of said tube while the latter is in said holder and in engagement with said means for holding the tube in the holder.

,4. In a machine of the character described, a plurality of holders for holding filled and closed collapsible tubes, means for support ing and moving said holders, a grooved track for receiving the closed ends of the tubes for holding the tubes in said holders and preventing rotation therein, and stationary brushes adjacent to the path of movement of the closed ends of said tubes for cleaning the adjacent ends of said tubes while the same are held in said holders by said track.

5. In a machine of the character described, a plurality of holders for holding filled and closed collapsible tubes, means for support ing and moving said holders, a grooved track for receiving and holding the filled tubes in said holders and against rotation therein,

and a pair of revolving brushes in the path i of movement of said tubes for cleaning the same adjacent to said closed ends. 7

6. In a machine of the character described, a plurality of holders for holding filled and closed collapsible tubes, means for supporting and moving said holders, a grooved track for holding the filled tubes in said holders and preventing rotation therein, and means for applying a liquid to the closed ends of said tubes while the tubes are held in said holders and in engagement with said track.

7. In a machine of the character described, a plurality of holders for holding filled and closed collapsible tubes, means for supporting and moving said holders, a track having a longitudinally extending grooved guideway therein for-holding tubes within said holders and holding the closed ends of said tubes against rotation, and means for cleaning said tubes adjacent said closed ends while the latter are held in said holders by said track.

8. In the combination defined in claim 7, the entering end of said grooved guideway being wider and deeper than the remainder of said guideway.

9. In a machine of the character described, an endless chain of holders for holding filled and closed collapsible tubes, means for moving said chain, a part of said endless chain extending downwardly so as to invert tubes inverted tubes, means for spraying liquid held in said holders, a guiding and supportonto the closed ends of said tubes while the ing track for engaging the closed ends of same are held in said holders, and revolving said inverted tubes on oppos te sides for brushes adjacent to the path of movement of holding the SZLIHG in said holders and against the closed ends.

rotation therein, stationary brushes in the path of movement of the closed ends of the WALTER H. HAINES. 

